The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has opened a 30-day public comment period on 43 oil and gas parcels covering 74,550 acres in Utah, proposed for a December 2026 lease sale. Comments are due by September 21, 2026.
What the comment period covers
BLM completed scoping on the parcels in July 2026 and is now taking public input on the parcels themselves and the related environmental analysis. The agency said it will use that input to complete its review of each parcel before the sale. Maps of the parcels and instructions for submitting comments are posted on BLM's ePlanning website.
How the leasing process works
Leasing is the first step under federal leasing policy for developing federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must file an application for a permit to drill that details its development plans. BLM reviews each application, posts it for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and other stakeholders. Parcels included in a lease sale carry stipulations meant to protect important natural resources.
BLM sells its oil and gas leases online through a system called Efficient Markets, and information on current and upcoming sales is available through the National Fluid Lease Sale System.
Scale of BLM's holdings
| Category | Figure |
|---|---|
| Public land managed by BLM | about 245 million acres |
| Western states covered (including Alaska) | 12 |
| Subsurface mineral estate administered nationwide | 700 million acres |
